VA Summer of Service: Charity golf tournament raises funds for Veterans

In March 2009, Len Ouellette lost his son, USMC Cpl. Michael W. Ouellette, to an IED explosion in the Nowzad District in Afghanistan’s Helmand Province. For the last six years, the elder Ouellette has turned his tragedy into an opportunity to provide care and support for Veterans at the Manchester VA Medical Center in New Hampshire.

U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte poses for a photo with a U.S. Naval Sea Cadet at the 6th annual New Hampshire Freedom Cup charity golf tournament.

Earlier this summer, Ouellette and Joe Paradis chaired the planning committee for the 6th annual NH Freedom Cup golf tournament. More than 100 golfers participated in the charity tournament that included volunteer representatives from Wounded Warriors, New Hampshire Patriot Guard Riders and the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps. U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte and the New Hampshire VFW State Commander also attended the event.

This year’s tournament raised more than $15,000 for the Veterans Support Fund in honor and memory of Cpl. Michael Ouellette. The tournament also supported VA’s Summer of Service goals of increasing volunteer support for the Manchester VAMC and enhancing Manchester VAMC’s relationships with its community.

Community organizations sponsoring the tournament included the Forty & Eight honor elite of the VFW, the American Legion, the Knights of Columbus, the Benevolent & Protective Order of the Elks, American Gold Star Mothers, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Marine Corps League and Candia Woods Golf Links

VA takes its commitment to care for the nation’s Veterans and their families very seriously, and this summer, we invite all of you to join in that commitment. Community by community, state by state, our nation can work together to serve Veterans during the VA Summer of Service.

• Look for VA at community events and engage our employees and partners.
• Reach out to your local medical facility or National Cemetery to find out what you can do to help.
• Check out #VASummerOfService on Vantage Point, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, and join VA in caring for America’s Veterans.